Now this is a very special , tearjerker piece of writing, Linda. I fitted in in some areas, others not.

I was lucky to have one child, a beautiful daughter but the others didn't reach full term.

We had a good life. Some envied our small family for all sorts of reasons, but they had no idea just how much I envied theirs.

My parents had seven children. They/we lived in struggle Street.. Gradually we all married and moved away, some of us to Australia.

When they decided they'd like to join us here, I told Mum she was too old. She was 52.

Despite my dire warning they came to Adelaide, bought their very first home, paid for it very quickly, and took overseas holidays every second year. Together they saw a lot of the world for the first time, Mum the organiser and tour guide.

She spent lots of her life as Cinderella, but she did''t wait for a handsome prince to rescue her.

Her working life came to an end after a holiday in New Zealand (Did I mention she contracted polio as a baby in hospital?) When she was stepping off a chairlift she held on to the railing, to steady herself, the driver didn't wait for her and she was pulled down the face of the mountain, and suffered a de-gloving accident caused by her wedding ring.I never herd her complain about it. Of course she could have sued, but she chose not to.

Still, as a seamstress she could no longer sew.

So now, in my down days, I call my mum to mind, and that's enough to make me realize my luck.

We can't avoid aging, but we can take steps to ensure we make the best of the years we have.